Knitting Lace and Keeping Track

Greetings!
I'm trying something new.  Knitting lace. 
Guess what?
It's kind of hard.  Well the stitches aren't that hard.  Making sure that you do the right number of them in the right order is a little hard.  But for me, the really hard part is keeping those pesky stitches from sliding off the needles!  Because when one does, I'm sunk.  I've read about ways to correct mistakes, and even had a limited amount of success if I'm just knitting or purling.  But when it happens on something like this I have no idea what to do and my only solution is to just start over.  It's not a pretty picture.
I've learned that if I knit when I'm tired I make mistakes.  So now I knit during the day and crochet at night.  Because if I make a mistake in crochet it is SO MUCH EASIER to fix!  There's no comparison really.

I did discover a way to keep track of which row/stitch I'm on.  Check it out.  I saw this on Facebook a few weeks ago and had to give it a try.

All it took was (2) 4"x6" postcards and (1) 3"x5" postcard, a little scotch tape and an x-acto knife.  The hardest part was making sure that I copied the chart correctly!  I've found it to be a brilliant solution that works like a charm!  I totally recommend giving this a try.

The project that I'm gearing up for is the Earflap Hat from the book Knit Noro: Accessories. I know hat season is just about over, but I want a small project that will teach me some new knitting skills.  This one seems just right.  It uses yarn overs and a knit and pass over technique that creates the center of each triangle.  I often avoid swatching, but this time it seemed extra important.  Once again I'm glad that I took the time.  Not only did it help me determine what size needles to use, but it let me practice the stitches and get comfortable with the flow of the pattern.  Now when I get started on the hat I'll know how to do it and what things should look like! 

Plus I don't have any extra Noro, and if I remember from the one time I used it, it doesn't like being frogged.

Now, about that problem of making mistakes, and not being able to fix them... I've read about knitters who use lifelines when working on difficult patterns.  By threading a piece of yarn through your project at intervals you create a safe zone.  If you do make a mistake you can pull the work out back to the lifeline instead of having to go back to the beginning. Sounds like a great idea to me!  Now at least I can have a little piece of mind, because let's be honest -  I'm going to make a mistake or two or three!

I also found that placing a stitch marker after every pattern repeat helps.  It's kind of tedious, but I know that between each marker I should have 12 stitches.  If I make sure each repeat is done correctly than I know that the row has been done the right way.  Plus, it's (usually) easier to fix a mistake that's only a few stitches back. So what about you? Do you have a trick for keeping your place in the pattern, or for fixing those pesky dropped stitches?  I'd love to hear what you do to make your knitting go more smoothly!

Well folks, the swatching is done and the charts are in their handy dandy holders so I guess that means it's time to cast on!  Wish me luck!  Did I mention that this is also my first knit hat?  I'm either adventurous or foolish - time will tell which!

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me.
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

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